Miguel L's profile

2003 Latour
Deep Blue Baby. Double decanted, at 9:45AM for service at dinner. Light sediment. Aromas did not wait for the glass, came soaring out of the bottle with the cork. Took one sip before rebottling -- black fruit, cassis essence, tar. Sweet nose, huge body and grip. Going to be great tonight and for many nights to come. At dinner, 8PM, first pour is muted, dark and reflective. Clear coating the glass, but very rich in "Napa quality" fruit (but at 13% alcohol) Tannins are ripe, present but very silky. Huge. Delicious to drink, like a top Cab. Then, an hour and a half later, it's a completely different wine, at another level of complexity. Not richer, but more intense and distinct. Floral, pine forest, mint, lingonberry, an utterly captivating nose that stops you dead. Brighter on the mid palate. Mouth watering finish, goes on for 60+ seconds. Not a classic Latour, but certainly an amazing top Bordeaux. Priced like two top wines, don't drink so fast that you miss that second one! Enjoy now with time, or watch the evolution for decades. (97 pts.)

2001 Bourgneuf
Auction purchase, held 8 months. Deep, dark, reflective blue, red rim. A terroir-driven nose of iron, clay and violets. Lean and a little green on first service, but filled out nicely with ample aeration, red fruit showing through. In fact, the second night is richer still, and things smooth out considerably. Becoming full-bodied, very enjoyable to drink. Medium-long high-toned finish. Rare to find Pomerol under $35, let alone one as enjoyable as this. Drink or hold 5yrs

1981 Margaux
Auction purchase, cork did its job, only just! Quiet nose, so gave it slow oxygen for 6 hours, no decant. Translucent ruby. Earthy barnyard aromas cleared out to reveal a fading garden of violets and worn saddle. Such evolved texture and integrated tannins, completely at ease in retirement. Long finish. All depends on the bottle at this point. A pleasure with an herb-roasted boneless leg of lamb.

1995 Meo-Camuzet - Clos de Vougeot
Another '95 Burg playing above the rim. Thoroughly enjoyable auction bottle. Cork in great shape. Mature red brick hue. Evolved aromas of fine maduro tobacco, leather and damp earth wafted through the room when poured at dinner. Medium-full, engaging attack. Captivating on its own, don't miss it as a superb companion to mushroom ravioli and poulet with a rich truffle sauce (thank you Gilmore's BYOB, amazing culinary bargain). This Grand Cru is at a very good place now. Held form during the two hours it lasted, a respectful moment of silence when the glasses were finally removed.

2002 Latour, Louis - Montrachet
Auction purchase. Cork a touch loose, the cap not spinning, but wine appears fine and stands up for several hours. Pale straw color, glass-coating weight. Substantial in the glass. Hints of vanilla, apricot, nutmeg, and toast, complex and evolving. You can't say creamy/buttery, the mineral character refutes any sign of heavy-handedness. But like another application of clear coat on a Jag, the colors are brilliant, deeper, more resilient. Recommend an hour+ aeration, as the oxygen brings forward more power and dimension. Extremely long finish. More developmental time in the bottle, it's not peaking yet. The last glass is even better than the first